Hey I-club.....

Guess what...my factory wastegate is frozen open
Can't build boost!!!! only makes up to a max of around 7psi

My question is....is the factory wastegate a separate piece that I can replace or is it welded onto the turbo as a whole unit

Problem is, it is a warranty issue if the turbo has to be replaced but the problem w/that is I gotta take off some "stuff" so I don't get a hardtime about voiding warranties

Anyone know if the wastegate is a separate piece ??

HELP

 

Are you sure it is the wastegate itself? It could be the wastegate, the actuator or the solenoid.

The wastegate itself is part of the turbo turbine housing, the actuator moves the metal rod which opens and closes the wastegate and the solenoid is the ECU controlled device which regulates boost.

 

I know it's the wastegate because you're right.....the factory spring tension, I'm told, is 7 lbs so that's all I can boost

Well, my mechanic buddy applied vacuum to the wastegate (that round goldish color thing over the heatshield) and the rod didn't move. It sounded like it was trying to move but couldn't. We couldn't see the the part attached to the turbo itself becuz it was too darn hot!!!

I'm somewhat of a n00bian also so ecuse me if the terminology escapes is off.

So basically, I can't just replace the wastegate, most probably I'll have to change the whole turbo!!

 

The round goldish color thing is the actuator and you need to apply pressure (not vacuum) to get the rod to move.

The solenoid is also responsible for bleeding off some of the pressure so if it is faulty then it could also limit your boost. In other words if no pressure is being bleed off by the solenoid then the wastegate will open at 7 psi and that's all the boost you're gonna see.

 

I answered you over on NASIOC too, but you posted more info here. Over there you just said the wastegate was frozen open so I took you at your word. However if it was truly stuck open your boost would be zero because the exhaust would be constantly bypassing the turbo. So as suggested here already your wastegate itself is probably ok and the problem is elsewhere. If the factory boost solenoid is stuck closed this is exactly what happens, you only can get wastegate boost and no more.
You should also examine the vacuum lines and inline restrictors that go to the wastegate and boost solenoid to see if any of them are plugged or melted shut.
And it doesn't sound like your mechanic knows what he is doing around your turbo car so you may want to go elsewhere.

 

Mulder, thanks for your input...BUT
In defense of my friend....he is a knowledgeable mechanic working at a very reputable delaer here in NYC....I trust him....excuse me if my explanation wasn't perfect. It's not always easy to translate exactly what was told to me if I'm not fully aware of the technical crapolla


Mister 2....yes that basically is what it sounds like. yes it was pressure applied..not vacuum....my bad
It's hard to see every single detail when it's dark and the engine is still hot
Thanks M2

 

Well- ok, we can only go by what you post.
If you apply at least 7-10 psi directly to the wastegate actuator and it doesn't move there may be a problem there. But, if it was stuck in the closed position you would have the opposite problem, too much boost. Also I'm not sure how much the linkage is actually supposed to move, it may not be that much.
I see in your post on NASIOC that you have an EBC, are you sure it is working properly? With an aftermarket boost controller the factory solenoid shouldn't even be connected any more so that may not be an issue.
Do you have any exhaust mods? Some downpipes have been known to interfere with the wastegate although again this would probably cause zero boost.

 

Hmm you have an EBC? That may be the problem. Something might not be connected properly.

Go back to basics. If you connect the vaccum hose from the compressor outlet directly to the wastegate actuator then spring pressure should hold the wastegate shut allowing you to build boost until which point the pressure to the actuator will move the linkage and open the wastegate (~7 psi). If the boost builds "normally" and doesn't feel more sluggish than normal I would think that all is well with the wastegate and actuator.

 

EBC has been working fine for about a month now....no problems except for figuring out the settings in the beginning.

Subaru is taking care of it under warranty....a friend who happens to know the service manager at a Subie dealer...somewhat mod-friendly

Thanks for your help guys